State profile · Near median Poor share

Kentucky bridge safety

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition shares for every public highway bridge in Kentucky.

14,548
Public bridges
26.6%
Good condition
7.4%
Poor condition

Kentucky holds 14,548 public highway bridges (#18 of 52 by inventory) with a 7.37% Poor share (#19 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 7.4% of the state's inventory, against an average of 7.5% across the 54 states and territories with Poor-rated bridges on file, which places it 34 of 54 ordered from the lowest Poor share upward. A bridge is rated Poor when its weakest applicable component scores 4 or below on the inspecting agency's 0-9 scale, so the category is a maintenance and funding signal rather than a closure order or a live crossing-safety verdict.

Inventory: FHWA NBI 2024 · last ETL August 2026

Total Bridges

14,548

Public highway bridges in Kentucky

Good Condition

26.6%

3,866 bridges rated 7-9

-23.4pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

7.4%

1,072 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-0.1pp vs national avg 7.5%

Kentucky vs national bridge condition

Kentucky - Good condition share 26.6%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

Kentucky - Poor-condition share 24.6%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.5%.

Kentucky in the national condition pattern

Each point is a state or territory in the FHWA NBI; the highlighted point is this profile.

Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Kentucky has 14,548 bridges and a 7.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #34 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold. Scatter plot of 54 data points. 0%10%20%30%40% 0k20k40k60k Public bridges in inventory (thousands) Poor-condition share (%) KY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.37%AL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.35%AK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.89%AZ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.15%AR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.43%CA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 25.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.91%CO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.82%CT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.72%DE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.26%DC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.95%FL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.79%GA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.59%GU, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.77%HI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.53%ID, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.9%IL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.35%IN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.22%IA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 19.16%KS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.26%LA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 12.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.48%ME, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.41%MD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.56%MA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.88%MI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 11.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.27%MN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.44%MS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.03%MO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.95%MT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.81%NE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.9%NV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.14%NH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.51%NJ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 6.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.01%NM, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.51%NY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 17.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.43%NC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.76%ND, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 10.98%OH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.74%OK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 22.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.7%OR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.61%PA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.58%PR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 13.92%RI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.2%SC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.17%SD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 16.36%TN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 20.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.41%TX, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 56.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.23%UT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.91%VT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.9%VI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 29.17%VA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.39%WA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.45%WV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 7.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 18.64%WI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.52%WY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.51%
Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Kentucky has 14,548 bridges and a 7.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #34 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold.

Kentucky vs all states by public bridge inventory

Where this state's FHWA NBI public-highway bridge count sits among every state and territory on PlainBridges

14,548 18th of 54 higher than 36 of 54 states

States and territories, banded by public bridge inventory size

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more states. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory · 2024

Read the rank neighborhood for Kentucky

The highlighted point is Kentucky: 14,548 bridges and 7.37% in Poor condition, rank #34 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Kentucky on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • North Carolina: 19,210 bridges · 6.76% Poor
  • Montana: 5,224 bridges · 6.81% Poor
  • Kentucky: 14,548 bridges · 7.37% Poor
  • New Hampshire: 2,542 bridges · 7.51% Poor
  • Oklahoma: 22,917 bridges · 7.70% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Kentucky

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 14,548 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Kentucky’s inventory

State agency holds 62.6% of the 14,548 public highway bridges filed under Kentucky in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Kentucky’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 13.8% of the 14,548 bridges with a recorded original year in Kentucky. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Kentucky26.6%66.1%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Kentucky (FHWA NBI)

Counties (120)

Adair 143 Allen 88 Anderson 84 Ballard 85 Barren 147 Bath 89 Bell 205 Boone 138 Bourbon 112 Boyd 89 Boyle 89 Bracken 49 Breathitt 124 Breckinridge 91 Bullitt 99 Butler 98 Caldwell 116 Calloway 210 Campbell 130 Carlisle 74 Carroll 68 Carter 189 Casey 143 Christian 300 Clark 117 Clay 160 Clinton 41 Crittenden 89 Cumberland 93 Daviess 282 Edmonson 39 Elliott 53 Estill 56 Fayette 200 Fleming 117 Floyd 161 Franklin 117 Fulton 95 Gallatin 55 Garrard 67 Grant 79 Graves 380 Grayson 119 Green 57 Greenup 161 Hancock 70 Hardin 223 Harlan 252 Harrison 153 Hart 57 Henderson 184 Henry 94 Hickman 123 Hopkins 251 Jackson 51 Jefferson 662 Jessamine 58 Johnson 99 Kenton 142 Knott 134 Knox 127 Larue 54 Laurel 131 Lawrence 103 Lee 42 Leslie 112 Letcher 179 Lewis 149 Lincoln 136 Livingston 104 Logan 135 Lyon 78 Madison 154 Magoffin 107 Marion 149 Marshall 208 Martin 70 Mason 97 McCracken 201 McCreary 39 McLean 75 Meade 24 Menifee 49 Mercer 75 Metcalfe 78 Monroe 70 Montgomery 74 Morgan 114 Muhlenberg 152 Nelson 151 Nicholas 82 Ohio 227 Oldham 66 Owen 54 Owsley 55 Pendleton 94 Perry 176 Pike 331 Powell 110 Pulaski 182 Robertson 24 Rockcastle 87 Rowan 130 Russell 46 Scott 183 Shelby 137 Simpson 50 Spencer 58 Taylor 92 Todd 80 Trigg 109 Trimble 44 Union 127 Warren 106 Washington 104 Wayne 76 Webster 144 Whitley 149 Wolfe 77 Woodford 60

Kentucky vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states by Poor-condition share (lower share = better)

States are ranked by the share of bridges whose lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below. This describes recorded condition; it does not measure funding effectiveness or live crossing safety. States here sit immediately above and below Kentucky on the same metric.

NC

North Carolina

6.76% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$19,210

MT

Montana

6.81% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,224
Selected

KY

Kentucky

7.37% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$14,548

NH

New Hampshire

7.51% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$2,542

OK

Oklahoma

7.70% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$22,917

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Kentucky

Six lowest-condition bridges in Kentucky, ranked by the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

WIDS ROAD

Poor

Over: WHITE OAK CREEK

100 NE OF JCT CR 5156, Adair, KY

Built 1971 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 10

PETROLEUM RD

Poor

Over: LITTLE TRAMMEL CREEK

0.2 MI. E JCT US 31E, Allen, KY

Built 1975 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 164

DEERFIELD ROAD

Poor

Over: STOVALL CREEK

.7 MI W OF JCT KY 802, Ballard, KY

Built 1988 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 40

KY-3042

Poor

Over: DIX RVR-HERRINGTON LAKE

.05 MI EAST OF KY34, Boyle, KY

Built 1924 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 630

KY-1951

Poor

Over: SNAG CREEK

2.4 MI. S.E KY 1019, Bracken, KY

Built 1988 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 36

Jones Branch

Poor

Over: South Fk Quicksand Creek

100 S of KY 1098 MP 9.23, Breathitt, KY

Built 2013 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 55

All Bridges in Kentucky

I-65 SB OFF RAMP

Fair

Over: I-65 NB OFF RAMP

AT I-264 I-65S TO I-265W, Jefferson, KY

Built 1988 Load: 67.0 t ADT: 129,829

ST ANTHONY CHURCH

Fair

Over: SLATE RUN

1.85 MI S OF KY 1931, Jefferson, KY

Built 2001 Load: 67.0 t ADT: 2,291

CATLETTS CRK

Fair

Over: CATLETTS CREEK

.4 MI SW OF JCT KY 168, Boyd, KY

Built 2000 Load: 67.1 t ADT: 560

KY 1153

Fair

Over: GRASSY LICK CREEK

.9 MI N OF JCT KY 1187, Butler, KY

Built 1971 Load: 67.1 t ADT: 318

BOHANNON LN

Fair

Over: EIGHTEENMILE CREEK

0.1 MI S OF 18 MI CRK RD, Oldham, KY

Built 1999 Load: 67.1 t ADT: 169

EDWARDS MILL RD

Fair

Over: LITTLE RIVER

0.6 MI SOUTH JCT US 68, Christian, KY

Built 2005 Load: 67.2 t ADT: 184

CR 1348

Fair

Over: Muddy Fork Creek

1.3 mi SE jct US 68, Christian, KY

Built 2007 Load: 67.2 t ADT: 107

MCINTIRE ROAD

Fair

Over: BLACKFORD CREEK

0.9 MI SE JCT KY 657, Hancock, KY

Built 2002 Load: 67.2 t ADT: 102

KY-1706

Fair

Over: LITTLE BAYOU DE CHEIN

.40 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 94, Fulton, KY

Built 1958 Load: 67.3 t ADT: 120

CR-1118K

Fair

Over: YOCUM CREEK

5.1 OFF 215, Harlan, KY

Built 2014 Load: 67.3 t ADT: 10

I-65 NB ON RAMP

Fair

Over: GRADE LN

0.15 MI N OF KY 61, Jefferson, KY

Built 1987 Load: 67.4 t ADT: 159,448

STROUD-LEVY ROAD

Fair

Over: CYPRESS CREEK

.25 MI JCT KY 2226, McLean, KY

Built 2000 Load: 67.4 t ADT: 9

KY 625

Fair

Over: PRYORS FORK

1.2 MI N OF KY 2869, Trimble, KY

Built 2010 Load: 67.4 t ADT: 200

LN-9008

Fair

Over: BEAVER CREEK

2.1 MI WEST OF METCALFE C, Barren, KY

Built 1973 Load: 67.6 t ADT: 6,947

KY 480

Fair

Over: COX CREEK

1.0 MI W OF NELSON CL, Bullitt, KY

Built 1979 Load: 67.6 t ADT: 1,039

RUSSELL CAVE PIKE

Fair

Over: HARPS FK OF GOOSE CREEK

9 MI N. JCT KY 4, Fayette, KY

Built 1988 Load: 67.6 t ADT: 2,040

US-150

Fair

Over: SLOUGH OF HANGING FRK

2.1 MI S.E. OF BOYLE CL, Lincoln, KY

Built 1959 Load: 67.6 t ADT: 12,003

I-264

Fair

Over: W BROADWAY

0.8 MI W OF VIRGINIA AVE, Jefferson, KY

Built 2003 Load: 67.7 t ADT: 41,925

KY-9009

Fair

Over: JOHNSON CREEK

2.8 MI EAST OF MORGAN CL, Magoffin, KY

Built 1963 Load: 67.7 t ADT: 4,478

US-460

Fair

Over: MCDOWELLS RUN

1.6 MI. E JCT KY 537, Bourbon, KY

Built 1997 Load: 67.8 t ADT: 1,791

KY-2179

Fair

Over: POOR FRK.-CUMBERLAND RIV

.05 MI NOR. OF JCT US 119, Harlan, KY

Built 1976 Load: 67.8 t ADT: 2,421

KY-582

Fair

Over: BILL DEES BRANCH

1.0 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 7, Knott, KY

Built 1966 Load: 67.8 t ADT: 505

HORSEMAN CEM 1140

Fair

Over: BULL FORK

100 west of bull fork, Rowan, KY

Built 2016 Load: 67.8 t ADT: 40

I-64

Fair

Over: DAVID FORK

1.8 MI EAST OF I-75S NTRC, Fayette, KY

Built 1963 Load: 67.9 t ADT: 40,192

KY-201

Fair

Over: Blaine Creek

3.6 MI N of JCT KY 32, Lawrence, KY

Built 1983 Load: 67.9 t ADT: 345

KY-3075

Fair

Over: CLARK RIVER

.10 MI EAST OF JCT KY 450, McCracken, KY

Built 1975 Load: 67.9 t ADT: 883

KY-56

Fair

Over: LOST CREEK

.50 MI S.E. OF JCT KY 758, Union, KY

Built 1930 Load: 67.9 t ADT: 1,590

US-23

Fair

Over: BULL CREEK

WATERGAP NTRCH-NEW KY 80, Floyd, KY

Built 1978 Load: 68.0 t ADT: 20,328

US-23 NC

Fair

Over: KY-3496 (Old 23)

@S End Pikeville Cut-Thru, Pike, KY

Built 1988 Load: 68.0 t ADT: 8,564

U.S. ROUTE 25E SOU

Fair

Over: SKYLAND ROAD

IMMEDIATELY NORTH OF STRU, Bell, KY

Built 1987 Load: 68.0 t ADT: 3,000

AIKEN RD

Fair

Over: FLOYDS FORK

0.65 MI W OF KY 1531, Jefferson, KY

Built 2004 Load: 68.1 t ADT: 7,990

KY-1178

Fair

Over: GREASY CREEK

.1 MI E - JCT KY 1034, Hopkins, KY

Built 1988 Load: 68.4 t ADT: 3,867

KY Hwy 711

Fair

Over: KY 711 / Devils Fork

1 mi. N of KY 3420 Int., Morgan, KY

Built 2010 Load: 68.6 t ADT: 152

KY-26

Fair

Over: CARR CREEK

.25 MI.SOU. JCT KY 511, Whitley, KY

Built 1983 Load: 68.6 t ADT: 1,863

HARRODS CREEK ROAD

Fair

Over: HARRODS CREEK

1.75 MI W OF JCT US 460, Bourbon, KY

Built 1960 Load: 68.7 t ADT: 99

KY-2469

Fair

Over: PUNCHEON CAMP CREEK

3.5 MI W JCT KY 30, Breathitt, KY

Built 1998 Load: 68.7 t ADT: 47

EAGLE WAY NC

Fair

Over: SOUTH FK-LITTE RIVER

1.3 MI.NE JCT US 41, Christian, KY

Built 1999 Load: 68.7 t ADT: 1,836

HOPKINSVILLE BYPAS

Fair

Over: SOUTH FK-LITTE RIVER

1.3 MI.NE JCT US 41, Christian, KY

Built 1999 Load: 68.7 t ADT: 1,836

KY-52

Fair

Over: BILLEY FORK

2.36 MI E. JCT KY 1571, Lee, KY

Built 1985 Load: 68.7 t ADT: 998

KY-1285

Fair

Over: SOMERSET CREEK

.05 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 57, Nicholas, KY

Built 1972 Load: 68.7 t ADT: 395

KY-1336

Fair

Over: LOCUST CREEK

3.0 MI S.E. OF JCT KY 697, Fleming, KY

Built 1978 Load: 68.8 t ADT: 127

US-60

Fair

Over: TRADEWATER RIVER

ON UNION - CRITTENDEN CL, Crittenden, KY

Built 1978 Load: 68.9 t ADT: 1,247

US-25

Fair

Over: NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM

.1 MI N OF I-75 OVERPASS, Fayette, KY

Built 1983 Load: 68.9 t ADT: 23,592

KY-38

Fair

Over: CLOVER FK CUMBERLAND RIV

2.3 MI EAST OF JCT KY 72, Harlan, KY

Built 1976 Load: 68.9 t ADT: 5,754

RIVER RD

Fair

Over: HARRODS CREEK

0.20 MI E OF WOLF BR RD, Jefferson, KY

Built 1920 Load: 68.9 t ADT: 5,156

KY-607

Fair

Over: CEDAR CREEK

.18 MI. E.-JCT US 127, Owen, KY

Built 1978 Load: 68.9 t ADT: 275

Milford Lewis Road

Fair

Over: Beaver Creek

.05miles W of Ky 167, Wayne, KY

Built 1994 Load: 68.9 t ADT: 49

US-68

Fair

Over: LEES CREEK

.30 MI S OF S-JCT KY2514, Mason, KY

Built 1962 Load: 69.0 t ADT: 4,761

BYERS RD

Fair

Over: CULP CREEK

.036 MIS JCT CR1184, Greenup, KY

Built 2004 Load: 69.3 t ADT: 15

KY-1069

Fair

Over: Otter Creek

1.5 Mi Sou of JCT KY-260, Hopkins, KY

Built 2017 Load: 69.3 t ADT: 1,727

Showing 9,201-9,250 of 14,548 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | Retired SD term explained →
Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Poor condition is an inspection-record category, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult the bridge owner for current status.

Understanding Bridge Conditions

How FHWA rates bridge condition on a 0-9 scale.

Check Your Daily Bridges

How to look up bridge condition data for bridges on your route.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

What to do with this

Use Kentucky's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Kentucky and open the highest-Poor shares first. County list
  • See where this state sits among peers on Poor-condition share. State rankings
  • Compare this state with another jurisdiction on the same measures. State compare

NBI condition ratings are inventory snapshots, not live crossing-safety verdicts.

Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Kentucky Good/Fair/Poor shares and county rollups on this page are computed from the same NBI extract as the national boards; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2024 NBI release. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.